Garda Youth Awards - Invaluable asset to the community

For several years, many of Ireland’s principal institutions, ranging from An Garda Síochána to the Catholic Church, have been embroiled in controversies of their own making.

Thus, it is refreshing to record that a highly successful community youth award scheme which began in West Cork almost 20 years ago is operating effectively in 19 other divisions across the country. That the importance of the scheme has been recognised nationally is largely due to the outstanding work of one member of the force, Garda James O’Mahoney, a juvenile liaison officer based in Bandon.

Having, in 1995, single-handedly set up the Garda Youth Awards, a scheme which marks the contribution of young people to society, he has continued to work tirelessly to strengthen ties with young people in the local community.